The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) made a surprising move on Wednesday by announcing candidates for 17 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, with one unexpected inclusion – Sangli.
This particular seat in Maharashtra has been
a focal point of discussions within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with both the Congress and Sena UBT laying claim to it. If Thackeray doesn’t retract his candidate, it could lead to a friendly contest, where the two parties would maintain their alliance in the rest of the state but compete separately in Sangli.
The contention revolves around two potential candidates: Chandrahar Patil backed by Sena UBT, and Vishal Patil, supported by the Congress. From the onset of negotiations, both parties have insisted on the Sangli seat.
Sena UBT argues that if they are conceding the Kolhapur seat to the Congress, the Congress should reciprocate by relinquishing the Sangli seat. Thackeray had previously assured a ticket to wrestler Chandrahar Patil, a commitment reaffirmed with his inclusion in the initial candidate list unveiled on Wednesday. However, this decision has sparked discontent among Congress leaders in the state.
Congress state president Nana Patole and senior leader Balasaheb Thorat have expressed dissatisfaction, emphasizing that the announcement of candidates for Sangli and Mumbai South Central disregards ongoing discussions within the alliance. They urge Sena UBT to reconsider, highlighting the importance of maintaining alliance protocols.
Meanwhile, Vishwajeet Kadam, an MLA from Sangli district and former state minister, has led a delegation to Delhi to consult the party’s central leadership on the matter. Kadam is expected to provide insights into the political landscape of Sangli, advocating for Congress’s claim over the seat.
Sangli has historically been a stronghold of the Congress until 2014 when it was wrestled away by the BJP candidate. Despite efforts in 2019, the Congress faced defeat again, with the BJP retaining the seat. Vishal Patil, grandson of former Maharashtra CM Vasantdada Patil, had contested but lost to the BJP candidate.
The absence of Congress leaders at recent rallies and meetings within the MVA, including a significant encounter between Sharad Pawar and Thackeray, hints at underlying tensions within the coalition. These developments underscore the delicate balancing act required to uphold the alliance’s unity amidst competing interests.
